Why do people buy designer bags/shoes?

[ettieb]

I have seen a few threads recently with people discussing designer handbags and I'm absolutely baffled why people are spending so much money on a handbag.
What can be so special about a handbag (or a pair of shoes) that people will pay hundreds of pounds for them when they can get a decent leather bag for a fraction of the cost of a designer bag?
There must be a limit to how good the quality of a bag can be... surely no bag is worth £800?
The most expensive bag I have ever bought cost £35 and I felt very guilty as this is a lot of money for a bag in my world.
Is it a status thing? Do they buy and carry these bags so other people will know that they have lots of money to waste?
I honestly don't get it, it just seems obscene to me. I get that people can spend their money on whatever they want but it just seems such a waste and so show-offy.

Some of my bags, and indeed cars, have increased in value. Seems I have both money and sense.

Is that the Banner?

@memesndmoreme Thank you!

I don’t think it is, I think that poster was just describing the array of price points for any item. She just as easily could have chosen Heinz vs Smartprice beans

Status symbol, fashion.

The MN mob waving their fists at our useful, beautifully crafted, well-stitched vessels easily containing all our personal effects while being comfortable to carry about our person and designed last our lifetimes… Grr, such a waste of money. 😆

Maybe they think we should all use bindles made of bags for life tied into sticks.

I disagree. I have my items through saving and not spending on other things I suppose you could say prioritising what was important to me at the time. My rolex was money gifted and that has now doubled in value. I wanted somethknf to remember the person who gifted me.I don't smoke, drink or gamble. I have no expensive hobbies. People buy what I'd important to them.

I inherited my mother's Chanel bags from the 80s and 90s. Not only is the quality of leather far superior to today's offerings, but the gold hardware is plated in real 24 carat gold, something they no longer do. Even though the prices are now on a par with Hermès, the quality is much lower. The bags are forty years old yet still look wonderful. My mother only bought a bag every few years and considered them an investment - buy well, buy once. She thought cheaper bags were a false economy. I feel similarly.

The last two bags I bought was when Phoebe Philo was still designing Céline. They were expensive but not horribly so, and what I like most about them is they are understated - too many designer bags are overloaded with branding and logos. (And why I would never buy Celine now). I would dearly love to buy a new bag but the prices are obscene and I think many are lacking quality, both in terms of design and materials/craftsmanship. But, should I find something I like, I will buy something. Until then, am happy with the bags I have, they're timeless rather than fashionable.

Bags, specifically Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags and some Chanel are considered one of the best ways to invest money as these bags always hold their value and in many instances, can be worth more than their original. purchase price.

Some people like to spend their money on expensive bags. Others don't. We're all different. Am surprised anyone cares what bag I carry, I know I don't think about others'.

Enjoy your beautiful bags. I also echo the sentiment buy well buy once. ❤️

Going exactly as the disappearing OP envisaged then.
Funny that.

I have an LV - yes it’s in the monogram print and I love it - it’s an unusual shape and I adored it for a very long time before I parted with the cash for it. It makes me feel good when I wear it and adding it to a plain simple outfit just makes it look gorgeous in my opinion.
I don’t wear it for status or symbol or care what anyone else thinks … some friends I have probably have no idea what it cost and I’d never tell them or brag about it - I wear it for me !
The quality is far better than any other bag I owe and it’s just special to me !
I wouldn’t go into debt to buy it and only Bought it because I could afford.
I have a few designer pieces that I longed and thought hard about before getting I don’t just waltz in and drop 3k for the sake of it.
I like the way I feel when wearing them and that’s enough for me :)
Added they retain value if looked after properly so I can always sell if needed - it’s like a little Savings pot I can wear.

@AAntiquiteas sister monica Joan is that you 😊😊❤️

@NNailsForBreakfastTacksForSnacks gone like a fart in the wind

I have a vintage Chanel flap - it’s still been used and loved many years after being made. And will be passed down to my daughter. That won’t happen with high street or fast fashion, they’ll go to land fill

That won’t happen with high street or fast fashion, they’ll go to land fill

Exactly.

on another post the OP sings the praises of Gusto boxes. But I don’t understaaaaaand. Why doesn’t she cook like everyone else instead of getting overpriced ingredients in a box?

I DONT UNDERSTAAAAAAND
😂

My most expensive bag is £20, I don’t wear branded/designer clothes or have a flash car, but that’s not to say I wouldn’t be tempted to buy an expensive designer handbag, car, clothes if I had the money. There are definitely some “luxury” items I think are worth paying a little bit extra for. And while others are spending their money on expensive products the things I buy remain cheap.

@AAntiquiteas I think, they think a bag for life is the way forward. 🤣 they can do them, we will do we ...

EXACTLY!! I would chose (and possibly others) to buy fresh ingredients from aldis, and make it myself! A simple choice of where you chose to spend your money.

There's no way I'd pay £8k, but after 30 years of accessorise / new look / Primark cheap bags that look ratty fairly quickly I've started replacing them with better quality versions.

I've currently got a second hand Mulberry (a gift) two Kate Spade and a Coach bought in the sales (most expensive £240) that even with regular use are holding up very well. I hope to have them all for years and years, far longer than a £24 bag would have lasted before looking scruffy, or the hardware tarnishing.

Appreciate I'm in a lucky position to be able to afford them though.

I have to say I find you get much better quality leather in bags and shoes for £250 than for £25 (for which you are probably getting pleather, aka vinyl, and if you're vegan may I just say canvas would look better). But the likes of Hermes, Chanel, etc, no. They are not better quality than Tory Burch. They are for status signalling, and often work best for women who get from lunch to cocktails in their limo with driver instead of hopping on the nearest bus or bike.

Since I WFH most of the time and only need my phone when I go out I rarely use a handbag these days. When I do use one I have a (much maligned on mumsnet) Radley bag which I chose because it looks nice, is good quality and is practical. I don't notice other people's bags TBH. They are just a receptacle to carry stuff about in.

I totally get paying more for quality but I am totally brand unaware in that I wouldn't associate a brand name with better quality.

I just don't get excited about handbag, clothes and shoe brands but I am prepared to splash the cash on a holiday and on good quality kitchen utensils.

So it's another each to their own from me.

Btw I speak from some experience, in the sense that I do own some Hermes and Chanel and Lord Piana. I repeat, above about £250-300 the quality is not higher and the practicality for normal life is generally lower.

You won’t get any sensible answers here, other than because I like them.
Naomi Klein - No Logo. A must read.

Lol, of course. You have of course convinced yourself that you’re a morally and intellectually superior individual, free of the constraints of consumerist tribalism. Whilst demonstrating your adherence to the beliefs of the anti consumerist tribe in all their dour glory.